Teutonic Castle in Świecie

Where the Wda flows into the Vistula stands a Teutonic castle with a tower that has been slowly leaning for centuries. About 35 metres tall and 106 cm off vertical, it is considered the tallest leaning tower in Poland open to visitors. After a renovation completed in 2024, the castle is welcoming visitors again.

History: Teutonic commandery, property of Toruń, seat of governors

The castle was built after 1335 on a new site, together with the town, which was moved here at the same time. It had a convent house with two main wings, cloisters and – unusually for Teutonic castles – four round corner towers, possibly inspired by French castles. The tallest served as the last line of defence and could be entered only by a footbridge more than ten metres above the ground. As early as 1377 the garrison had firearms.

During the Great War of 1409–1411 the commander of Świecie was Heinrich von Plauen, later Grand Master of the Order. The castle was besieged in 1410 and, like Malbork, did not surrender. It fell only in the Thirteen Years' War. From 1461 to 1502 it belonged to the city council of Toruń, and then until 1772 it housed Polish royal governors. Destroyed in the Swedish wars, it was later partly dismantled by the Prussians until King Frederick William IV stopped the demolition in 1859.

What to see

• the leaning tower – its tilt comes from the clay soil and the artificial mound the castle was built on,
• the north wing with the reconstructed star vaults of the refectory, built with 15,000 handmade bricks modelled on an original rib brick found on site,
• the view from the tower over the Vistula valley and the mouth of the Wda.

Interesting facts

• The ruins are a Natura 2000 site – barbastelle bats hibernate in the castle cellars.
• In 2019 unknown thieves stole bricks from the castle, damaging part of the 14th-century defensive wall.

Tripto tip

1–1.5 hours is enough for the castle and the tower climb. From the tower you can see exactly where the Wda joins the Vistula – a good spot for photos of the whole valley. Before you go, you can take the virtual tour of the castle published in 2026. Check current opening hours and prices before you go, as the offer has been changing since the renovation.